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Study art history abroad
An in-depth guide to studying art history as an international student.
Art history degrees abroad
Art history is the academic study of visual images over time. It analyzes how art has both influenced, and been influenced by, social, cultural, and historical contexts.
You’ll study key artists, movements, themes, and techniques as you explore the role that art has played in societies throughout history. You’ll also learn how to interpret, analyze, and write about a variety of art forms. The skills you’ll develop on an art history program will prepare you for a successful career in the art sector and beyond.
By studying abroad, you’ll have the opportunity to visit and examine influential artwork in its original environment. Immersing yourself in a country’s art culture will help you grasp a clearer understanding of an artist’s intentions and purpose and enrich your education. You’ll meet inspiring people, visit beautiful destinations, and have a great deal of fun too.
Art history program structure
You can study art history as an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. A BA will last three or four years, depending on where you decide to study. Many universities also offer combined honors courses so that you can study art history alongside another related subject. Typical pairings include foreign languages and social sciences.
If you’ve always dreamt of studying in the US, you’ll likely choose art history as your undergraduate major. In the American liberal arts system, students improve their general education, as well as pursuing a specific interest. As such, you’ll complete liberal arts modules in the first half of your degree, before focusing entirely on art history for the latter half.
Art history is a popular choice when it comes to master’s programs. An MA usually requires one year of full-time study, or two years of part-time learning. If you’re still keen to learn more, you can enroll in a PhD program which takes an average of five years to complete.
You’ll be taught through a mixture of lectures, workshops, seminars, and one-to-one tutorials. Some universities also arrange field trips to art galleries and museums so that students can take learning beyond the textbook.
Methods of assessment vary between modules, but exams, essays, written assignments, presentations, and practical projects usually feature.
The content covered in art history programs is heavily influenced by universities’ national and cultural settings. However, most courses around the world will include these core modules:
- Historical concepts in art
- Art theories and approaches
- Aesthetics and philosophy of art
- Art methods, form, and function
- Principles of visual culture
- Research techniques in art history
- Medieval to contemporary art
- Renaissance art
How to study art history abroad
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Art history study abroad programs
Art history undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in art history
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Art (Art History) - BA Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
30,134 USD
Fee in university's local currency 30,134 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
-
Art - Art History - BFA University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,800 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,800 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Art - History - BA University of Central Florida, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,478 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,478 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
-
Art and Art History - BA Oglethorpe University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
39,300 USD
Fee in university's local currency 39,300 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
-
Art History - BA University of Nebraska at Kearney, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,900 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,900 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Associate in art history
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Art History - AA North Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
-
Art History - AA College of the Desert, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,368 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,368 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Art History (for Transfer) - AA College of Alameda, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- January, August, June
-
Art History (for Transfer) - AA Berkeley City College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
-
Art: Art History - AA Seattle Central College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
Diploma in art history
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Advancing University Studies: Art History and Theory - DipAdvUniStud University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,586 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,003 NZD
- Start date
- January, February
Art history graduate programs
Master's in art history
-
Art History - MA John Cabot University, Italy
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 15 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,560 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,000 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Art History - MA Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,856 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,670 NZD
- Start date
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
-
Art History - MA University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
25,240 USD
Fee in university's local currency 36,086 NZD
- Start date
- July, February
-
Art History - MA Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
25,118 USD
Fee in university's local currency 25,118 USD
- Start date
- August
-
Art History - MPhil/PGDip Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's/Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,172 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,304 EUR
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in art history
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Art History - PhD University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
4,965 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,099 NZD
- Start date
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Diploma in art history
-
Art History - GradDipArts University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,514 USD
Fee in university's local currency 35,048 NZD
- Start date
- July, February
-
Art History - MPhil/PGDip Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's/Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,172 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,304 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Arts: Art History - PGDipArts University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,025 USD
Fee in university's local currency 27,200 NZD
- Start date
- January, February
Future art history careers
An art history degree will arm you with a number of specific and transferable skills, including critical analysis, observation, and communication. Several career paths will open up for you, and many art history graduates go on to secure interesting roles, including:
- Museum or gallery manager
- Museum or gallery curator
- Exhibitions officer
- Conservator
- Archivist
- Arts administrator
- Teacher
- Art critic
Undertaking voluntary placements and internships is a great way of gaining experience and boosting your employability. Your university’s career service can support you with contacting local galleries and museums.
